Once Ling Zhenfei sliced the fish meat, he put the fish back into the water. Originally thought to be dead, the fish started swimming again.

Although it was just a matter of technique, it left everyone around him dumbfounded.

Ling Zhenfei smiled and said, "Though it's without meat, it's better than being dead, right?"

Ling Zhenfei's words made everyone laugh. It's true, being without meat is better than being dead.

Though it seemed like a playful joke, actually executing it wasn't so easy. Ling Zhenfei used his Perspective Eye to avoid the vital parts of the fish.

Thus, the fish wouldn't die, and Ling Zhenfei treated the meatless areas with Northern Spiritual Energy to ensure they wouldn't rot. Who knows, maybe the fish can regrow its meat later.

Ling Zhenfei treated the sliced fish meat, first marinating it by hand, then quickly frying it in oil before pairing it with his secret sauce.

The fish slices were arranged in a lotus shape and covered with red sauce, resembling a lotus blossoming on the plate, which left everyone astonished.

Once finished, Elder Minhang led the applause, remarking, "This dish is a revamped version of the traditional famous dish, peony fish slices. It seems even more enticing than peony fish slices."

"Yes, it should be called Lotus Fish Slices."

"Lotus Fish Slices doesn't quite capture the vibrant color of this dish. It should be called Red Lotus Fish Slices."

Several people started arguing about what to name the dish, suggesting they indeed belonged to a family that loved food.

It seemed there was no end to the disagreement, but Ling Zhenfei couldn't concern himself with such matters. He followed Elder Minhang into the dining room.

It was a very large dining room, the round table seated more than twenty people, and the dish took a long time to circle the table.

Ling Zhenfei sat beside Elder Minhang, with Min Lu on the other side.

Min Lu loved to drink, and so did Elder Minhang. They kept pouring drinks for Ling Zhenfei, one after another. They truly drank a lot.

But Ling Zhenfei was grateful inside, knowing Elder Minhang had a reason for inviting him, so he kept himself sober, waiting to see what would happen.

Due to the large number of people, including women and children, the noise was somewhat loud, as each person spoke about their own matters. If two people weren't speaking directly to each other, it was impossible to hear anyone else.

But nothing could stop Ling Zhenfei. His ears were sharp, and with the help of Divine Sense, he could hear everyone's conversation simultaneously.

"Do you think this person looks like a doctor? Are doctors and chefs the same?"

"Why wouldn't they be the same? Didn't you see how he sliced the fish, looking just like a surgeon?"

"Oh, now that you mention it, I did find it a bit strange."

At this moment, Min Yue whispered to his wife, "Today the old man invited this Ling to the house; I wonder what his agenda is."

"Isn't it obvious? It's surely because of that matter. The old man still isn't giving up."

Min Yue snorted, "The old man is the most biased. Still not giving up, wanting one more person to share the inheritance."

"Indeed, the old man is really long-lived."

Min Chuan also whispered to his wife, "Keep an eye out later. The old man invited this Ling definitely because of that matter. Isn't he said to be a Divine Doctor?"

"What can a Divine Doctor do? He's not an Immortal. I don't believe it."

"I know this young man; he does have some skills. Han Ge was cured by him just a few days ago."

"Hmph, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, this young man is really something."

Ling Zhenfei was taken aback hearing the conversations among the two groups, hesitating in his heart. He hadn't expected what seemed like a harmonious family to have such underlying discord.

It was like a lake that appeared calm on the surface, yet the turbulent currents below were hidden from view.

Ling Zhenfei didn't know exactly what was happening but vaguely guessed it was Elder Minhang who invited him to treat someone.

However, Elder Minhang's sons didn't welcome this person, but Ling Zhenfei didn't know who the person was.

Then Min Lu said he needed to go to the restroom, so Ling Zhenfei followed him. Of Elder Minhang's sons, Ling Zhenfei could tell that the eldest son, Min Lu, was relatively sincere, speaking and acting reasonably well without ill intentions.

On the way, Ling Zhenfei asked Min Lu, "Uncle Min, did the old man call me this time to treat a patient?"

Since Ling Zhenfei and Min Lu's daughter, Min Min, were about the same age, he called him Uncle.

Min Lu replied, "Yes, there's a patient we want you to treat, a last resort."

Ling Zhenfei was slightly surprised, sensing the person was seriously ill but unclear on specifics.

Though a family member was gravely ill, those people showed no sadness or distress.

Ling Zhenfei found this astonishing. The outwardly friendly Min family wasn't as they seemed, and there might be additional turmoil.

"What kind of illness does the person have?" Ling Zhenfei inquired.

Min Lu said, "Anyway, you'll find out soon enough."

Ling Zhenfei felt even stranger then; Even the usually honest Min Lu commented like this, leaving him uncertain about this person.

Suddenly, Min Lu stopped Ling Zhenfei, saying, "Actually, it's fine if I tell you. Since Mr. Ling was invited, we should be sincere. Originally, family scandals shouldn't be revealed."

"The person to be treated is a girl, my father's illegitimate daughter, just 27 years old now. We never knew about this; never knew my father had an illegitimate daughter outside.

Until one day she came to us, only then did we know. But by the time she found us, she was already severely ill, and now she's in another house not far away."

Ling Zhenfei felt a stir in his heart, understanding why the Min family didn't regard the sick person positively. It turned out this was the situation.

Elder Minhang was indeed formidable; he had an illegitimate daughter from over twenty years ago.

"My father is a deeply sentimental person, so he feels he owes her, striving to compensate. But this woman has hardly any fortune, afflicted by such a severe illness."

Ling Zhenfei understood; because Elder Minhang was so good to the girl, everyone knew that if she were alive, she would surely receive a share during inheritance distribution, which greatly frustrated Min Yue and others.

Now, with the girl seriously ill and near death, Min Yue and others were actually pleased.

Thus, during the meal, they didn't show discomfort, although Elder Minhang appeared calm. Yet from Ling Zhenfei's store opening ceremony behavior, it was apparent that Elder Minhang was internally stressed.

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